Partition panel



B. L. DOW

PARTITION PANEL Feb. 1, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 21 1963 INVEN TOR.

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PARTI T ION PANEL Feb. 1, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 21, 1963 INVENTOR. ,Bgaz/amz'zz I. flow United States Patent 3,232,013 j, PARTITION PANEL 1 Benjamin L. Dow, Fort Wayne, Ind., assignor to Henry Weis Manufacturing Company, Inc., Elkhart, Ind., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 21, 1963, Ser. No. 266,906 4 Claims. (CI. 5273) This invention relates to structures comprising partitions and stiles and associated members used in the construction of cubicles or small enclosures such as toilet and dressing compartments, shower stalls, and the like, and is concerned more particularly with the partitions and the mounting thereof.

Compartments of the character above mentioned are known in which the partitions are secured to a supporting Wall by means of angle brackets and screws. The securing s'crews may be threaded into wood plugs or lead sleeves in openings formed in the wall. The partitions are of uniform thickness, usually approximately one inch, are

formed of sheet metal of comparatively light gauge with a filler or core of corrugatedpaperboard, and are of substantial length. The stiles for the doors and associated parts are secured, usually by angle brackets and screws to the outer ends of the partitions. If a stile is struck or otherwise subjected to pressure transversely of its associated partition, substantial leverage is exerted at the inner end of the partition resulting in loosening of the partition from the wall or, in extreme cases, detachment of the inner end of the partition; both objectionable for obvious reasons. There is also the possibility that the partition may be permanently distorted or bent transversely so that proper closing and latching of the door becomes difficult or impossible. In many of the known compartments the stiles are anchored to the floor or the ceiling, which reduces, but does not eliminate, the possibility of the difiiculties mentioned. In many others the stiles are supported by the partitions, free from both the floor and the ceiling. In such compartments the risk of the difiiculties referred to is real and such difiiculties not infrequently occur. Also, when the stiles are supported by the partitions, the weight of the-stiles plus the weight of the door mounted on the stile, exerts a substantial leverage effect at the inner or Wall end of the partition. That and vibration to which the compartments are inevitably subjected, frequently results in objectionable looseness or play between the partitions and the-supporting wall. i it My invention is directed to a wall-hung partition and compartment which avoids the objections to the known compartments above mentioned. To that end I provide a partition which resists transverse pressure to which it may be subjected to such an extent as to preclude possibility of transverse bending thereof or loosening of its attachment to the supporting wall, due to pressure exerted at the outerend of -thepartition; under conditions encountered in the normal use of the compartment embodying such partition. I also provide means for securing the inner end of the partition to thewall such as to preclude possibility of the partition pulling loose from the wall due to transverse pressures exerted upon the partition or to the load supported thereby, such means also providing a comparatively wide base for the partition effectively resisting transverse pressures or loads to which it may be subjected. Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the detailed description.

e In the drawings: v V FIGURE 1 is a top'plan viewof a Compartment hav ing partitions and mounting means therefor embodying my invention, with the supporting wall shownin section;

FIGURE 2 is a side view of one of the partitions and its mounting means of FIGURE 1, with the supporting wall shown in section;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary top plan view, partly broken away and on enlarged scale of the partition of FIG- URE 2, with the supporting wall shown in section,

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 5 5 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 isa sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 6'6 of FIGURE 2, certain parts being shown in plan;

FIGURE 7 is a front view, on an enlarged scale and partly broken away, of the mounting channel member secured on the supporting wall, the latter being shown fragmentarily; and

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 88 of FIGURE 7.

I have illustrated my invention, by way of example, as embodied in a compartment comprising two partitions 10 mounted on a masonry supporting wall 11 and stiles 12 and 13 mounted, by angle brackets 14, on the inner ends of partitions 10. The stile 13 is of greater width than stile 12 and has mounted thereon, by hinge means 15 of suitable known type, an inwardly opening door 16. The latter may be provided with a latch member cooperating with a keeper mounted on stile 12, both of which are omitted as not being pertinent to my instant invention. The stiles 12 and 13 and the door 16 may be of any suitable known construction and the hinges 15 maybe of any suitable known type.

The partitions 10 are of elongated V-shape in plan, tapering inwardly in width, as shown. Each partition 10 comprises two fiat sheet metal side panels 18 each proyided at their top and bottom edge portions with channel elements 19 respectively having an outwardly extending flange 20. Each of the panels 18 is further provided at itsinner edge with a channel element 21 with an outwardiy extending flange 22. Top and bottom closure members orcovers 23, also formed of sheet metal, are provided at their side edges with lengthwise channel elements 24 which engage about the flanges 20 of channel elements 19 of the side panels 18restraining-the latter against movement away from each other. -As previously noted, the partitions 10 taper in width inwardly, being of elongated V-shape in plan, and the covers 23 taper correspondingly in width inwardly of the partition. The space between the inner. ends of the panels 18 is closedby'a sheet metal molding 25 having at each side edge a channel element 26 which engages about flange 22 of channel element 21 of the corresponding panel 18. The ends of molding 25 are spaced a. short distance from the top and bottom of the panels 18 and the covers 23 terminate a short distance from the inner ends ofthe panels 18. The spaces between the ends ofvmolding 25 and the inner endsof the covers 23 are closed by corner fittings 27 suitablysecured, conveniently by welding, to covers 23 and molding 25. Thelatter, and covers 23, also are preferably spot welded tothe panels 18.

The outer or base end of partition 10 is of substantial width and is closed by a vertically extending reinforcing channel member 29 fitting snugly between-the panels 18 and suitably secured thereto, conveniently bywwelding. The panel 10 is provided with a filler or corecomprising top and bottom spacers 30 conforming to the interior of the partition and fitting tightly between thepanels 18. The main or body portion 31 of the core 32, including the spacers 30, is formed of laminations of corrugated paperboard fitting tightly between the panels 18 and spacers 30 being also formed of corrugated paperboard. The corrugations of the spacers 30 and of the body 31 of core 32 are disposed transversely of the partition 10, the core 32, including the spacers 30, fitting tightly within the partition and being adhcsively secured to the inner faces of the panels 18. The core 32 effectively resists deflection of the panels 18 inwardly of partition 10 providing reinforcement therefor and also serving .as sound deadening or damping means, as is known in structures of this general type.

The partition 10 is mounted on wall 11 by a channel member 34. The body portion or bight 35 of channel member 34 is provided with a plurality of circular openings 36 three-eighths of an inch in diameter and spaced on one and one-sixteenth inch centers. Bight portion 35 is further provided with four circular openings 37 nine thirty-seconds of an inch in diameter, two of such opening being spaced apart vertically on the center line of bight portion 35 and the other two of such openings being spaced inwardly a short distance from the sides and the top of bight portion 34. The openings 37 receive screws 38 which thread into anchors 39, conveniently wooden pegs driven tightly into corresponding openings in wall 11, though any suitable anchor members may be provided. The screws 38 and pegs 39 provide means for temporarily holding the channel member 34 seated flatwise on the face of wall 11 until an adhesive, to be referred to more fully presently, has set. Within the broader aspects of my invention, any suitable means may be provided for holding channel member 10 tightly seated against the wall 11 during setting of the adhesive, as will be understood.

The adhesive above referred to is a two part industrial epoxy adhesive manufactured by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, 3720 S. Venoy Foad, Wayne, Michigan. It is known commercially as 3M Company Scotch-Weld Adhesive No. 1838-A and No. 1838-B. It will bond metal to metal or to any other building material, such as tile, concrete, concrete block and plaster. In practice, a fairly thick layer of the adhesive, consisting of equal parts of No. 1838-A and No. 1838-13 is applied to an area of the surface of wall 11 corresponding to the area of the bight or body portion 35 of channel member 34. The latter is then placed upon the layer of adhesive and is secured by the screws 38 to wall 11 in pressure contact with the adhesive. A portion of the adhesive is forced through the openings 36 providing key elements 41, locking channel member 34 to the remaining layer of adhesive 42 which bonds the channel member 34 to wall 11. In FIGURE 8 the s-tippling indicates the layer of adhesive 42 and the key elements 41 extending through the openings 36. The adhesive sets rather rapidly and provides a bond of substantial mechanical strength between the channel member 34 and wall 11. Once the adhesive has set, the screws 38 provide little, if any, support for the channel member 34 and may be removed if desired, though there is no objection to their remaining in place. If means other than the screws 38 is provided for temporarily supporting the channel member 34 until the adhesive has set, such supporting means is then removed.

Each arm 44 is provided with a plurality of suitably spaced oblong openings 45 extending from bight portion 35 to within a short distance, approximately one-eighth of an inch, from the outer edge of arm 44. Preferably, though not necessarily, there are four openings 45 in each arm, two of such openings being spaced approximately four inches from the top and the bottom of arm 44 and the other two openings being equally spaced from each other and from the two first mentioned openings. Each of the openings 45 has mounted therein a flanged speed nut retainer 46 slidable toward and away from the bight portion 35 of channel 34 and carrying a speed nut 47, the retainers 46 being of known type. Arms 48 of the reinforcing or base channel 29 of partition 10, and the overlying portions of the side panels 18, are provided with vertical slots 49 spaced correspondingly to the openings 45 in arms 44 of channel member 34. The

outer or rearward edges of panels 18 are flush with the rearward edges of arms 48, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. The arms 48 of channel member 29 are further provided with a plurality of openings for reception of securing screws. In mounting the panel on the channel member 34, the reinforcing base channel 29 is positioned over the channel member 34 with the arms 44 of the latter at the inner faces of the arms 48 of channel member 29. Positioning screws 50 are then inserted through the slots 49 and threaded into the speed nuts of the retainers 46. The partition 16 is then accurately adjusted to the desired position, it being noted that the slots 49 and the retainers 46 slidable in openings 45 permit ready adjustment of the partition 10 both vertically and horizontally. When the partition 10 has been properly positioned, with its outer end seating against the wall 11, the adjusting screws 50 are turned tightly into the nuts of the retainers 46 so as to anchor the partition in position. Holes are then drilled and tapped into the arms 44 of the mounting wall panel 34, through the previously mentioned openings in arms 48 of the base channel member 29. Additional screws are then inserted and threaded tightly into the openings or holes in the arms 44 of channel member 34 effective for securing the partition 10 in position and restraining it against movement relative to the wall channel member 34. The weight of the partition 10 and the parts carried thereby is then supported by the channel member 34, the adhesive bond between the latter channel member and the wall being of adequate mechanical strength to support such weight or even substantially greater weights. The relatively wide base of the partition 10 with the outward divergence of the panel members 18 is effective for resisting transverse pressures to which partition 10 may be subjected and to greater extent than if the partition were of comparatively narrow uniform width as is usual in known structures of this general type.

It will be understood that changes in detail may be resort-ed to without departing from the field and scope of my invention, and I intend to include all such variations, as fall Within the scope of the appended claims, in this application in which the preferred form only of my invention is disclosed.

I claim:

1. In a partition for a compartment structure, an outwardly opening b-ase channel member, two substantially rectangular and flat side panels secured at one end to the flanges of said channel member and converging away from the latter with their ends remote from said channel member secured together, said panels defining therebetween a space of substantially elongated V-shape in cross section and decreasing in width from said channel member, each of said panels having at its top and bottom edges an outwardly opening length-wise channel element, top and bottom closure members substantially conforming to and bridging said space, said closure members having at the sides thereof lengthwise inwardly opening channel elements engaging said channel elements of said panels and in cooperation therewith restraining said panels against movement away from each other, and a light weight sound deadening core substantially filling the space between said panels, said space being otherwise unobstructed.

2. In a partition for a compartment structure, an outwardly opening base channel member, two substantially rectangular and flat side panels secured at one end to the flanges of said channel member and converging away from the latter with their ends remote from said channel member secured together, said panels defining therebetween a space of substantially elongated V-shape in cross section and decreasing in width from said channel member, each of said panels having at its top and bottom edges an inwardly extending and outwardly! opening lengthwise channel element, top and bottom closure members substantially conforming to and bridging said space,

said closure members having at the sides thereof lengthwise inwardly opening channel elements engaging said channel elements of said panels and in cooperation therewith restraining said panels against movement away from each other, and a light Weight sound deadening core substantially filling the space between said panels and confined between said inwardly extending channel elements thereof, said core fitting tightly between said panels and being adhesively secured thereto, the space between said panels being otherwise unobstructed.

3. In a partition for a compartment structure, an outwardly opening base channel member, two substantially rectangular and flat side panels secured at one end to the flanges of said channel member and converging away from the latter, said panels defining therebetween a space of substantially elongated V-shape in. cross section and decreasing in width from said channel member, each of said panels having at its top and bottom edges an outwardly opening lengthwise channel element, each of said panels further having at the end thereof remote from said channel member an outwardly opening transverse channel element, top and bottom closure members substantially conforming to and bridging said space, said closure members having at the sides thereof lengthwise inwardly opening channel elements engaging said top and bottom channel elements of said panels and in cooperation therewith restraining said panels against movement away from each other, a channel member bridging said remote ends of said panels and having elements engaging said transverse channel elements and in cooperation therewith restraining said remote ends of said panels against movement away from each other, and a light weight sound deadening core substantially filling the space between said panels, said oore fitting tightly between said panels and being adhesively secured thereto, said space being otherwise unobstructed.

4. In a wall mounted compartment partition structure, a supporting wall, a substantially vertical outwardly opening first channel member secured to the outer face only of said wall, an inwardly opening second channel memher extending about the flanges of said first member exteriorly thereof, means mounting the flanges of said sec- 0nd member on the flanges of said first member for universal adjustment, said mounting means being accessible exteriorly of the flanges of said second member, two substantially rectangular and flat side panels secured at one end to the flanges of said second channel member and converging from the latter with their ends remote from said second channel member secured together, each of said panels having at its top and bottom edges an outwardly opening lengthwise channel element, top and bottomclosure members substantially conforming to and bridging said space, said closure members having at the sides thereof lengthwise inwardly opening channel elements engaging said channel elements of said panels and in cooperation therewith restraining said panels against movement away from each other, and a light weight sound deadening core substantially filling the space between said panels, said space being otherwise unobstructed.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,667,534 4/1928 Carpenter et al 52494 1,717,906 6/1929 Anderson 52-730 1,927,787 9/ 1933 Johnson 52238 2,175,717 10/1939 Kerr 5265 2,865,476 12/1958 Schooler 52615 3,056,475 10/ 1962 Benham 52615 OTHER REFERENCES Shell Chemical, Epon resins, Paint, Oil Chemical Review, November 9, 1950.

Mark, Plastic Sandwich Beams, Modern Plastics, March 1955.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

EARL J. WITMER, Examiner.

R. A. STENZEL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A PARTITION FOR A COMPARTMENT STRUCTURE, AN OUTWARDLY OPENING BASE CHANNEL MEMBER, TWO SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR AND FLAT SIDE PANELS SECURED AT ONE END TO THE FLANGES OF SAID CHANNEL MEMBER AND CONVERGING AWAY FROM THE LATTER WITH THEIR ENDS REMOTE FROM SAID CHANNEL MEMBER SECURED TOGETHER, SAID PANELS DEFINING THEREBETWEEN A SPACE OF SUBSTANTIALLY ELONGTRED V-SHAPE IN CROSS SECTION AND DECREASING IN WIDTH FROM SAID CHANNEL MEMBER, EACH OF SAID PANELS HAVING AT ITS TOP AND BOTTOM EDGES AN OUTWARDLY OPENING LENGTHWISE CHANNEL ELEMENT, TOP AND BOTTOM CLOSURE MEMBERS SUBSTANTIALLY CONFORMING TO AND BRIDGING SAID SPACE, SAID CLOSURE MEMBERS HAVING AT THE SIDES OF LENGTHWISE INWARDLY OPENING CHANNEL ELEMENTS ENGAGING SAID CHANNEL ELEMENTS OF SAID PANELS AND IN COOPERATION THEREWITH RESTRAINING SAID PANELS AGAINST MOVEMENT AWAY FROM EACH OTHER, AND A LIGHT WEIGHT SOUND DEADENING CORE SUBSTANTIALLY FILLING THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID PANELS, SAID SPACE BEING OTHERWISE UNOBSTRUCTED. 